Professor Eric Dent's Blog

First we were children playing Learning about God, exploring life. I know of Amy. Then we were teenagers Noticing the opposite sex, becoming independent. I can pick out Amy. We fell in love. Deliriously, unabashedly, joyously. I choose to speak Amy. We married. Commitment, honor, partnership. I speak heavily accented Amy. We gave life to … More I Dream in Amy

I have friends, or at least people with whom I’m friendly. I can call them up to go out for dinner or watch a game, but I rarely do and they almost never call me. I’m active on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Girls are willing to spend time with me – that’s not a problem. … More No One Will Miss Me

I took most of these photos and my wife, Amy, took the better-looking ones. OUTTAKE

Life happens fast.For years we strive and thrive.Gradually, we deteriorate,A knee, a memory, slower reaction. Pauses open in the striving.Recognition of decline.Reflection of what’s important.Sadness about shortcomings. Perspectives shift.Horizons broaden.God’s grace expands.Effectiveness crowds striving. Letting go becomes a blessing.Perceived loss turns to strength.Christ fills the gap.Satisfaction and joy rush in. 

After more than eight years of monthly columns, I’ve decided that this will be my last for The Robesonian. Local newspapers are critically important so I hope that as many of you as possible subscribe. They serve a vital purpose by providing content that cannot be found anywhere else. That content comes from writing that … More There are simple ways to identify and defeat scams

December 2020 column: As The Robesonian headlined, “Tuesday’s election may have spawned a new political era in Robeson County.” When I moved to Lumberton in 2003, 89% of the registered voters were Democrat. Robeson County (RC) has historically been reliably blue, choosing Obama by 14% in 2008 and 17% in 2012. RC then became one … More The New Republican Party

November 2020 column: People value the preciousness of life differently. My father’s death at 81 was much less tragic than my daughter’s would be at 19. When he passed away, many people empathized with our grief, but no one said at his funeral, “how tragic” or “what a pity.” We celebrated his good, long life. … More Let’s Protect the Vulnerable

Combating racism raises the question of how to successfully accomplish societal change. This is a subject college students would have studied extensively back when there were required courses in subjects such as western civilization. Without that knowledge, we’ve seen a higher percentage of failed movements in America in the last few decades. In short, successful … More I Recommend Standing

My car and my life are intertwined.My life breaks down when my car does.I have become too dependent on it. I am also helpless before a mechanic.I don’t understand his words or his looks.I pay the bill with total unease. Then, the problem is not completely fixedOr reoccurs too soon.I’ve been had. Again. And again. … More An Honest Mechanic